Neil: we must be bold

Wimbledon will have virtually a fully fit squad to choose from for tomorrow night’s FA Cup tie and Neil Cox has challenged players to battle for places in the coming weeks.

Though the replay versus York City will come too soon for Andy Frampton’s return, Neil Cox confirmed that the Dons are in good shape heading into the cup tie.

Speaking to Rob Cornell during an interview for Dons Player, Neil said: “Everyone is fine and raring to go. We are just having a look at one or two players with knocks, but they should be fit. We’ve had a bit of chopping and changing at the back with Andy Frampton getting injured and Alan Bennett coming back in, but places are up for grabs.

“We’ll have a lot of games when we get towards the Christmas period and it’s important that we keep everyone fit. The players in the team want to stay there and it’s up to them to keep the shirts. It starts tomorrow though and we want to be in the hat for the next round of the FA Cup.”

To achieve that aim Wimbledon will need to see off York City at the second attempt and Neil is expecting another tough battle tomorrow against a side managed by Russ Wilcox.

“The first match was a good game,” added Neil. “We had the better of the first-half, but they were better than us in the second-half. I’ve known Russ Wilcox a long time and he’s started to settle in there now. In the second-half of the first game they caused us problems. I’m sure he will have them organised again. They will be fit, strong and ready for us tomorrow night.

“We have to be bold though and take the game to them. We go into it after a home win and a clean sheet and now we’re looking to go further in the FA Cup.”

Dons Player subscribers can watch the full video interview with Neil Cox on our premium site and Adam Barrett tells us about his FA Cup memories later on. We also feature an interview with Mark Robinson ahead of Wimbledon’s FA Youth Cup tie at Gillingham tomorrow night.